Boat collision kills 1 in Florida holiday event

7 badly injured during annual Columbus Day holiday regatta

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KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Two boats collided during South Florida’s annual Columbus Day regatta, killing one person, seriously or critically injuring seven and leaving one man missing, authorities said Sunday.

A boat with at least eight people aboard was being towed by another boat Saturday night near the Rickenbacker Causeway between Miami and Key Biscayne when it was struck by a third vessel that apparently came from behind, said Jorge Pino, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A young adult male was missing, and authorities were searching for him, Pino said. It was unclear which boat he was on.

Another vessel being towed behind the boat that was struck escaped harm, Pino said.

Monica Burguera, 20, a college student from Miami, was killed. Four people were in critical condition and three others were in serious condition when they were taken to hospitals, Pino said.